Convertible rest



Dec; 25, 1934;

I E. S. STEIGERWALD ET AL CONVERTIBLE REST Filed June 23, 1952 wqld geicwaid Edward a swig, w Ai 1? 5w:

I NVXLNTORS /MM ATTO NE and for Patented Dec. 25, 1934 CONVERTIBLE REST Edward s. Steigerwald and Albert P. steigerwald,

Cleveland, Ohio 1 Application June 23, 1932, Serial No. 618,866

3 Claims. (01. 155- -169) This invention relates to convertible rests, and has for an object the provision of a new and improved device of this character.

In the drawing accompanying this specification shown,

ming a part of this application we have for purposes of illustration, one embodiment which our invention may assume, and in the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of an embod' iment of our invention,

Figure 2 is a rear elevational view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view,

showing the device in one operative position,

while Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the latch mechanism employed in connection with our invention.

The embodiment herein disclosed comprises a rectangular base frame having side frame members 11, a front frame member 12, and a rear frame member 13, supported by legs 14 and 15, and surmounting the base frame 10 is a seat member 16 having an angularly disposed rigid extension 17, suitably upholstered, as indicated at 18.

Secured inwardly of one end, and to the under surface of the seat member 16, are lever means comprising a pair of laterally spaced connecting members 19 and 20, pending from the seat each having a portion 21 demember 16 merging into an angular portion 22, the latter being swingably supported by a rod 23, the opposite ends of which are carried in metal bearing thimbles 24 embedded in the lower portions of the legs 15. Also secured to the seat member 16 is a connecting mem- *ber 25 having its lower end swingably supported by the rod 23 and its upper end formed with an offset portion for the reception of the adjacent corner portion 26 formed by the seat member 16 and extension 1'7, and the upper end of the connecting member 25 is secured to the extension 17 by bolts 2'7.

Disposed about the rod 23, and interposed besprings 28 and 29 are operable to member 16 in a clockwise impel the seat direction, as, viewed in a Figure 3, and to a position inclined with respect to the base frame 10, and to yieldably support the seat member 16 when the lower legs and feet device is adapted for use as a chair, and the exhaving a toe-plate 33 by means of which the latch bar may be manipulated.

When the seat member 16 is secured in its lowered position by the latch mechanism, the

,, tension 1*? serves as a back-rest. However, when 10 one is reclining in a separate chair, and. it is desired to use thedevice as a foot-rest and legrest, the user presses the toe-plate 33, as by his foot, andreleases the seat member 16, and the springs 28 and 29 swing the seat member 16 about the axis of the rod 23, until the connecting members 19 and 20 abut the rear frame member 13, the parts being arranged and proportioned to position the seat member 16 normally at an angle of approximately 45 with respect to the baseframe 10, this position varying somewhat when the weight of the feet and legs of the user is imposed thereon, the springs 28 and 29, however, tending to yieldably support this weight. During such use, the feet of the user, of course, are rested against the extension 1'? which provides a foot-rest.

Due to positioning the axis of swinging movement of the seat member 16 very low with respect to the supporting surfaces of the device, considerable shifting of the seat member 16 takes place longitudinally of the base frame, providing for the type of movement which takes place when the user straightens his knees in adapting the device to his comfort.

Furthermore, tendency toward accidental overturning of i the device when in use as a foot-rest is greatly minimized by reason of the low positon of the axis of rotation of the connecting members, resulting in lowering the center of weight concentration with respect to the supporting base frame 10; and additionally, limitation of movement of the seat member 16 by abutment between the connecting members 19 and 20, and the frame member 13, aids in minimizing the possibility of accidental overturning, the base frame 10 thus acting to counterbalance the forces imposed by the user upon the seat member 16. When the seat member 16 is lowered, the latch mechanism acts automatically to secure the seat member 16 in its lowered position, and the device then provides an attractive low chair.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiment herein disclosed accomplishes at least the principalobject of our invention, and includes uses and advantages other than those herein referred to, and it will be un derstood that the said embodiment may be variously changed and modified without departing from the spirit of our invention, and accordingly said embodiment is illustrative only and the invention is not limited thereto.

We claim:

1. A foot and leg rest, comprising: a base member having an elevated supporting surface; a

foot and leg supporting member adapted normally to rest upon said base member in a substantially horizontal position and adapted by manual manipulation to be moved from said position; lever means; means rigidly connecting one end of said lever means to said supporting member; and means pivotally connecting the opposite end of said lever means to a predetermined part of said base, said lever means, when said supporting member is manipulated, operating to effeet lifting of said supporting member from its positionof rest on said base member and simul taneously to eifect shifting of the same edgewise toward the marginal edge of said base member to a position inclined with reference to the'l'iorizontal. V Y

2. A foot and leg rest, comprising: a base member having an elevated supporting surface;

' a foot and leg supporting member adapted normally to rest upon said base member ina substantially horizontal position and adapted by manual manipulation to bemoved from said position; lever means; means rigidly connecting one end of said lever means to said supporting member; means pivotally connecting the opposite end of said lever means to a predetermined part of said base, said lever means, when said supporting member is manipulated, operating to effect lifting of said supporting member from its position of rest on said base member and simultaneously to effect shifting of the same edgewsie toward the marginal edge of said base member to a positon inclined with reference to the horizontal; and means for yieldably holding said supporting member in its inclined position.

3. A foot and leg rest, comprising: a base member having an elevated supporting surface;

a foot and leg supporting member adapted normally to rest upon said base member in a substantially horizontal position and adapted by manual manipulation to be moved from said position; lever means; means rigidly connecting one end of said lever means to said supporting member; means pivotally connecting the opposite end of said lever means to a predetermined part of said base, said lever means, when said supporting member is manipulated, operating to effect lifting of said supporting member from its position of rest on said base member and simultaneously to effect shifting of the same edgewise toward the marginal edge of said base member to a position inclined with reference to the horizontal; means for yieldably holding the supporting member in upraised position; and means for latching said supporting member to said base member-to hold the supporting member against the influence of said yieldable means and inits normal position on said base member.

EDWARD S. STEIGERWALD. ALBERT P. STEIGERWALD. 

